BBFF26 All of a Sudden

Marie-Lou (Virginie Efira) runs an aged-care facility on the outskirts of Paris. She’s devoted to her job and her patients, and firmly believes that the elderly should be treated with dignity. It’s tough work, and, like so many of her employees, she’s dealing with burnout. But her spirit is rekindled when she meets Japanese playwright Mari (Tao Okamoto), who’s staging a theatre piece about the history of mental asylums in Italy. As they plunge headlong into all-night conversations about mortality, philosophy and the degradations of capitalism, Mari and Marie-Lou’s new friendship will change both of their lives. Selected as Japan’s entry for Best International Feature Film at the 2027 Academy Awards, All of a Sudden marks Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s second time representing Japan in the category, following the Oscar-winning Drive My Car. Byron Premiere